What is it?  Adopt-a-Family is our 11th annual event to benefit low-income older adults, families, at-risk youth attending alternative schools, youth receiving mental health services, foster children and persons with special needs.  Sponsors "adopt" a child, family, or older adult(s) and purchase gifts from a wish list written by the recipient themselves. How are recipients chosen?  Volunteers of America -Minnesota's program staff refer Volunteers of America-Minnesota program participants for "adoption" when guidelines are met — they are low-income, isolated, will not receive other holiday support.  This program would have a positive impact on their lives.  How much does participating in Adopt-a-Family cost?  Volunteers of America-Minnesota does not set a "giving level" for sponsors.  Sponsors participate at a level with which they are comfortable.  For more information, please see the "FAQ" section of this webpage in the right hand column.  You may, if you choose, help the program with a monetary donation.  Your financial gift will be used to purchase gifts for additional families who are added to the program late, or may not have been adopted.  Make a donation.  Why is this important? This annual event provides an opportunity for Volunteers of America-Minnesota to remember those who are less fortunate during the holidays and provides individual and organizational volunteers the opportunity to engage with us to impact the lives of individuals and communities.

Ways you can participate: 1.  Adopt a family, child or older adult.  Sponsors purchase gifts from wish lists written by the recipients, wrap and label them, and bring them to (drop-off site to be determined).  Staff will be at this location from (dates and times to be determined).  If there are special circumstances that require the drop-off of gifts sooner, please email or call Kristin Cook at kcook@voamn.org, or 952-945-4039. Each gift recipient completes a wish list with gift suggestions, which we pass on to you as a sponsor. The wish list is meant to be a shopping guide.  You are under no obligation to purchase all/any of the listed items.  The wish list(s) will be sent out the week before Thanksgiving after all people in need have been matched with appropriate sponsors. If you are sponsoring a family or senior, we ask that a gift certificate to a grocery store be included to help toward the purchase of a holiday meal. (Please do not include grocery gift cards for individual children.) Volunteers of America-Minnesota does not set a giving level for sponsors.  Please participate at a level with which you are comfortable. We ask that gifts be wrapped and dropped off as listed above.  Labeling instructions, drop off hours and directions will be included when you receive your wish list(s). Because of privacy issues, Volunteers of America-Minnesota staff delivers gifts directly to recipients. If you would like to adopt a person or family of a certain demographic, we will try our best to match your request.  However, we must ultimately make matches according to the recipients' greatest needs. Register to adopt a family, child or older adult: To register, you will need to state the number of families and the family size you would like to sponsor (i.e., 2-10 members), or if you would like to sponsor a single older adult(s) or child/children. We will then send you a confirmation email and/or letter. Wish lists will be mailed out the week before Thanksgiving.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kristin Cook at kcook@voamn.org, or 952-945-4039. <Click here to register> 2.  Adopt-a-Program.  You can provide direct help for one of our programs by purchasing items from a program's wish list that will benefit program participants throughout the year.  Program wish lists will be available in early October. We will then send you a confirmation email and/or letter. 3.  Make an easy and impactful monetary donation to Adopt a Family.  Your financial gifts will be used to purchase gift cards for individuals and families, as well as provide gifts for additional families.  Make a donation.    4.  Help spread the word. Download and include this Adopt a Family widget underneath your email signature.  <Click here for widget.> (Note: Right-click to save widget to your computer.) <Click here for instructions on how to add the widget to your email signature.> Share the Adopt a Family website link (www.AdoptaFamilyMN.org) on your Facebook profile or status. Send an invite email to your friends and family. <Link to sample invite email.> Ask your office, company, or church to participate in Adopt a Family.  <Link to "Ways to Engage" sheet for tips and ideas.>